WHY: "At Lincoln we do academic acceleration, meaning kids opt out of AP classes rather than opting in," Bowling explains. "Because of that we have kids who aren't traditional 'AP kids' — and I think that's a good thing. My job is to teach them up." Bowling spent the week prior to this photo in Washington, D.C., "doing Teacher of the Year stuff" (including visiting the White House and shaking hands with President Obama). His plane landed in Seattle close to midnight on Friday; he was at school with his students by 9 a.m. the next day.

Bowling, a passionate advocate for erasing educational inequality, says more of his students pass the AP Government exam than many neighboring schools have enrolled in their classes. "It's about access," he says. "We don't gatekeep. We provide additional support, and the kids rise to the occasion."

Milestones

Quotes

"That one moment [receiving the Milken Educator Award] is actually the best teaching moment I could ever have. I tell students they can do anything they want to do ... Seeing me receive this award gave me 'street cred.' I realized this award is about much more than me."

In Memoriam

About Connections

Connections amplifies the voices of Milken Educators by focusing attention on the work and experiences of excellent educators across the nation. Through articles written by and about the work of Milken Educators, as well as features exploring classroom technology, strategies, education news and more, Connections sparks meaningful conversations about education.